CN108367187B

CN108367187B - Exercise device

Info

Publication number: CN108367187B
Application number: CN201680049561.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·尼基卡伦
Original assignee: G Nijikalun
Current assignee: G Nijikalun
Priority date: 2015-06-18
Filing date: 2016-07-06
Publication date: 2020-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-06
Also published as: CN108367187A; WO2016205833A1; EP3310446A1; EP3310446A4

Abstract

The exercise device includes a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one pulley cable is positioned around the first and second pulleys for relative movement with respect to the first and second pulleys. A body coupling assembly is provided for attachment with the at least one pulley cable.

Description

Exercise device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device that utilizes the weight of a user as a resistance force during the performance of an exercise.

Background

Many pulley-based exercise devices are well known to the public. However, these devices exhibit various drawbacks in terms of versatility and ease of use. Accordingly, there remains a need for a pulley-based exercise device that provides extensive versatility in the muscle groups that can be worked and ease of use that encourages users to exercise regularly and effectively. The present invention provides such an exercise device.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device that includes a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly connected to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a pulley belt member having a first end secured to the first pulley and a second end secured to the second pulley. The pulley belt member is retained by the spacing member such that the first end of the pulley belt member and the second end of the pulley belt member are maintained in a desired spaced relationship to maintain the first pulley and the second pulley in a spaced relationship. At least one pulley cable is positioned around the first and second pulleys for relative movement with respect to the first and second pulleys. The at least one pulley cord includes a first end and a second end. A first handle is coupled to a first end of the at least one pulley cable and a body engaging component is coupled to the at least one pulley cable.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the mounting assembly includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting assembly includes an abutment member and the second end of the mounting assembly includes a releasable coupling member that allows the pulley assembly to be selectively connected to the mounting assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the pulley assembly further includes a coupling strap securing the pulley strap member to the mounting assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the body engaging component is a belt shaped and dimensioned to be positioned about the waist of the user. The waist belt includes an elongated body having an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body are provided with cooperating fastening members allowing the waist belt to be releasably attached around the waist of a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the spacer member is an elongated planar member having a first end, a second end, and opposed first and second side walls extending between the first and second ends. The spacer member further includes a first slot through which the first end of the pulley belt member passes and a second slot through which the second end of the pulley belt member passes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the first slot and the second slot are mirror images of each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein each of the first and second slots includes a first slot portion extending between the first and second side walls and adjacent the first or second end of the spacer member, a second slot portion extending in the direction of the first and second ends of the spacer member, and a third slot portion extending between the first and second side walls but inward of the first or second end of the spacer member relative to the first slot portion.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device that includes a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly connected to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one pulley cable positioned around the first and second pulleys for movement relative thereto, the at least one pulley cable including a first end and a second end; the first handle is coupled to a first end of the at least one pulley cable and the body engaging assembly is coupled to the at least one pulley cable. The body-engaging component is a belt shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user. The band includes an elongated body having an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body are provided with a first mating fastening member and a second mating fastening member, respectively, allowing the waist belt to be releasably attached around the waist of a user. The waist belt also includes first and second auxiliary connecting members secured to opposite sides of the waist belt from opposite sides of the first and second mating fastening members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein each of the first and second auxiliary connecting members includes a releasable coupling member shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with a cooperating releasable coupling member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein at least one pulley cable includes a releasable coupling member for selectively coupling with either the first auxiliary connecting member or the second auxiliary connecting member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the exercise device further includes a central pulley assembly including a releasable coupling member for selectively engaging the first secondary connecting member or the second secondary connecting member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the short strap member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is provided with a releasable coupling member adapted to connect to the releasable coupling member of the first auxiliary connecting member and the second end is provided with a releasable coupling member adapted to connect to the releasable coupling member of the second auxiliary connecting member.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the length adjustable straps secure the plurality of releasable coupling members of the first and second auxiliary connecting members to the waist belt.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device that includes a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly connected to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one pulley cable is positioned around the first and second pulleys for relative movement with respect to the first and second pulleys. The at least one pulley cord includes a first end and a second end. The first handle is coupled to a first end of the at least one pulley cable and the body engaging assembly is coupled to the at least one pulley cable. The exercise device also includes a central pulley assembly that includes a releasable coupling member for selectively engaging the body engaging assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the central pulley assembly includes a short belt member to which the central pulley is secured.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device wherein the short strap member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is provided with a releasable coupling member adapted to connect to the body engaging component and the second end is provided with a releasable coupling member adapted to connect to the body engaging component.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of certain embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of an abutment member of the mounting assembly of the present exercise device;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of an adjustable coupling band used to secure the sheave assembly to the mounting assembly;

figures 4 and 5 show the exercise apparatus in use;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a belt used in connection with the exercise apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an exercise device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of the sheave assembly according to the embodiment of figure 7;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the pulley according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spacing member according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view of an abutment member of the mounting assembly of the present exercise device;

figure 12 is another detailed perspective view of the sheave assembly according to the embodiment of figure 7;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the body engaging assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a detailed top view of the body engaging component according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of the body engaging component (in its closed configuration) according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

fig. 16 is a top view of an exercise device having a central pulley assembly secured thereto according to the embodiment of fig. 7;

fig. 17 is a top perspective view of an exercise device having a central pulley assembly secured thereto according to the embodiment of fig. 7;

fig. 18 is a top perspective view (an alternative perspective view from the drawing shown in fig. 16) of the body engaging assembly with the central pulley assembly secured thereto according to the embodiment of fig. 7;

FIG. 19 is a detailed top perspective view of the body engaging assembly with the central pulley assembly detached therefrom according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

fig. 20 is a detailed perspective view of a pulley used in the embodiment of fig. 7.

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

Referring to the various figures, an exercise device 10 is disclosed that utilizes the weight of an individual exercising as a resistance source. The exercise device 10 includes a mounting assembly 12 and a pulley assembly 14 coupled to the mounting assembly 12. The pulley assembly 14 includes a support bar 16 with a coupling bar 18 extending from the support bar 16. The coupling rod 18 is used to releasably secure the sheave assembly 14 to the mounting assembly 12. The pulley assembly 14 also includes a first pulley 20 and a second pulley 22 extending from the support bar 16. A first pulley cable 24 is positioned around the first pulley 20 for movement relative to the first pulley 20 and a second pulley cable 26 is positioned around the second pulley 22 for movement relative to the second pulley 22. The first pulley cable 24 includes a first end 28 and a second end 30, and the second pulley cable 26 includes a first end 32 and a second end 34. A first handle 36 is attached to the first end 28 of the first pulley cable 24 and a second handle 38 is attached to the first end 32 of the second pulley cable 26. The body engaging assembly 40 is coupled to the second end 30 of the first pulley cable 24 and the second end 34 of the second pulley cable 26.

Referring now to fig. 1, 2 and 3, by positioning mounting assembly 12 between door 42 and door frame 44, mounting assembly 12 is adapted to be selectively attached to door 42 such that first end 46 of mounting assembly 12 is positioned on an exterior side 48 of door 42 during an exercise and second end 50 of mounting assembly 12 is positioned on an interior side 52 of door 42 during the exercise (i.e., within a space in which a user is to exercise). Thus, the first end 46 is provided with an abutment member 54 in the form of an elongated rod 56 having enlarged

buffer end members

58, 60 sized such that the elongated rod 56 is too large to pass through the space between the door 42 and the door frame 44. The second end 50 of the mounting assembly 12 is provided with a releasable coupling member 62 in the form of a shackle that allows the sheave assembly 14 to be selectively attached to the mounting assembly 12 as will be appreciated in light of the following disclosure. The releasable coupling member 62 at the second end 50 of the mounting assembly 12 is secured to the abutment member 54 at the first end 46 of the mounting assembly 12 by a strap 64, the strap 64 being shaped and dimensioned to pass between the exterior side 48 of the door 42 and the interior side 52 of the door 42, with the strap 64 being mounted within the space between the door 42 and the door frame 44.

Referring now to the pulley assembly 14 shown in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the pulley assembly 14 includes a support rod 16 with a coupling rod 18 and first and

second pulleys

20 and 22 extending from the support rod 16. The support rod 16 includes a first end 66 and a second end 68, and the support rod 16 has a middle portion 70 located between the first end 66 and the second end 68. The coupling rod 18 is fixed to the support bar 16 at a substantially longitudinal center of the support bar 16 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support bar 16.

The adjustable attachment strap 72 is used to secure the pulley assembly 14 to the mounting assembly 12, and in particular, to secure the pulley assembly 14 to the releasable attachment member 62 at the second end 30 of the mounting assembly 12. The adjustable coupling strap 72 includes a first end 74 and a second end 76. The first end 74 of the adjustable strap 72 is provided with a coupling ring 78 (e.g., an O-ring), the coupling ring 78 being shaped and dimensioned for selective connection to the releasable coupling member 62, and the second end 76 of the strap 72 is provided with a releasable coupling member 80 in the form of a shackle shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with an O-ring 82 at a free end 84 of the coupling bar 18. In this manner, the adjustable attachment strap 72 may be selectively secured between the pulley assembly 14 and the mounting assembly 12 to secure the functional components of the present exercise device 10 to the door 42.

As mentioned above, the coupling strap 72 is adjustable. According to a preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by forming the coupling strap 72 from both

strap members

86, 88 with a clasp 90 positioned between the

strap members

86, 88. The first strap member 86, which forms the first end 74 of the attachment strap 72, has a fixed length and is fixedly connected to the O-ring 78 and the clasp 90. A second strap member 88 forming the second end 76 of the attachment strap 72 has an adjustable operative length and passes through the buckle 90 to selectively connect to the buckle 90 in a manner that allows the effective length of the adjustable attachment strap 72 to be adjusted. The second strap member 88 includes a first end 92 and a free second end 94, wherein the releasable coupling member 80 is secured to the first end 90. The second strap member 88 is moved and locked relative to the buckle 90 to adjust the length of the second strap member 88 extending between the buckle 90 and the releasable coupling member 80. It should be appreciated that clasp 90 is a conventional spring-based locking clasp that uses a pivoting and spring-biased locking member 96 to control movement of second strap member 88 relative to clasp 90.

The pulley assembly 14 also includes a first pulley 20 and a second pulley 22 extending from the support bar 16. The first pulley 20 is secured to the first end 66 of the support bar 16 in a manner that allows for a full range of movement of the first pulley 20 relative to the support bar 16. Similarly, the second pulley 22 is secured to the second end 68 of the support rod 16 in a manner that allows for a full range of movement of the second pulley 22 relative to the support rod 16. The full range of motion and the releasable connection of the first and

second pulleys

20, 22 to the respective ends 66, 68 of the support bar 16 is achieved by providing the first and second ends 66, 68 of the support bar 16 with the first and second ends 66, 68 having first and second O-

rings

98, 100. The first and

second pulleys

20, 22 are secured to the O-

rings

98, 100 using first and second releasable coupling

members

102, 104, particularly using shackles, with the first and

second pulleys

20, 22 extending from the

coupling members

102, 104.

Now consider first pulley 20 and second pulley 22, which are conventional and may take various forms. According to a preferred embodiment, each of the first and

second pulleys

20, 22 includes a U-shaped frame member 106. The U-shaped frame member 106 includes a first end 108 and a second end 116 at the connecting member 110, wherein the connecting member 110 couples the first arm 112 and the second arm 114, and the second end 116 is at the free end of the first arm 112 and the second arm 114. The first end 108 includes an O-ring 118 to which the

releasable coupling members

102, 104 are secured, and the second end 116 includes a pivot pin 120 extending between the free ends of the first and

second arms

112, 114, with a wheel 122 rotating about the pivot pin 120.

As described above, the first pulley cable 24 is fixed to the first pulley 20, and the second pulley cable 26 is fixed to the second pulley 22. Referring to the first pulley cable 24, which passes within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106, the U-shaped frame member 106 is located between a first end 108 and a second end 116, wherein the first end 108 is closed by the connecting member 110 and the second end 116 is closed by the pivot pin 120 and the wheel 122. The first pulley cable 24 is retained within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 by securing a first locking ball 124 near the first end 28 of the first pulley cable 24 and securing a second locking ball 126 near the second end 30 of the first pulley cable 24. The first and second locking

balls

124, 126 are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 and the respective first and second ends 28, 30 of the first pulley cable 24 may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 to effectively remove the first pulley cable 24 from the first pulley 20. Similarly, the second pulley cable 26 is retained within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 by securing the first locking ball 128 adjacent the first end 32 of the second pulley cable 26 and securing the second locking ball 130 adjacent the second end 34 of the second pulley cable 26. The first and second locking

balls

128, 130 are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 and the respective first and second ends 32, 34 of the second pulley cable 26 may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 to effectively remove the first pulley cable 24 from the first pulley 20.

The first pulley cable 24 includes a first end 28 and a second end 30. The first handle 36 is coupled to the first end 28 of the first pulley cable 24 at a location beyond the first locking ball 124 previously discussed. The body engaging assembly 40 is coupled to the second end 30 of the first pulley cable 24 at a location beyond the second locking ball 126 previously discussed. The first handle 36 and body coupling assembly 40 are releasably secured to the first pulley cable 24. According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second ends 28, 30 of the first pulley cable 24 and the first handle 36 and body engaging component 40 are provided with O-rings that are releasably connected together using

releasable coupling members

132, 133 in the form of a shackle as described above. With respect to the second pulley cable 26, it includes a first end 32 and a second end 34. The second handle 38 is coupled to the first end 32 of the second pulley cable 26 at a location beyond the first locking ball 128 previously discussed. The body engaging assembly 40 is coupled to the second end 34 of the second pulley cable 26 at a location beyond the second locking ball 130 previously discussed. The second handle 38 and body-engaging component 40 are releasably secured to the first pulley cable 24. According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second ends 32, 34 of the second pulley cable 26 and the first handle 38 and body engaging component 40 are provided with O-rings that are releasably connected together using

releasable coupling members

132, 135 in the form of shackles as described above. Further versatility is achieved by providing a clamping ball formed adjacent the first ends of the first and second pulley cables. These grip balls will allow exercises to be performed where the handle is not optimal and allow the user to grip the first ends of the respective first and second pulley cables at a position slightly offset from the actual ends of the cables, where a shorter effective cable length is desired.

Now consider the body-engaging component 40, which is preferably a waist belt 134, shaped and sized for positioning about the waist of a user while he or she is exercising. As such, the band 134 includes an elongated body 136 having an inner surface 138 and an outer surface 140, and a first end 142 and a second end 144. The respective first and second ends 142, 144 are provided with first and second cooperating fastening members 146, 148, allowing the belt 134 to be releasably attached around the waist of a user. Waist belt 134 is primarily comprised of a central wide belt member 150 with adjustable straps 152, 154 (using conventional buckles 158 to allow adjustment) extending from central wide belt member 150 to first end 142 of waist belt 134 and second end 144 of waist belt 134. According to a preferred embodiment, the ends of wide strap member 150 are provided with resiliency, allowing wide strap member 150 to stretch to accommodate various body positions and various body sizes for different exercises, without requiring the larger size adjustment permitted by adjustable straps 152, 154.

With respect to the elongated body 136 connecting the second ends 30, 34 of the first and

second pulley cables

26, 28 to the body engaging assembly 40, the elongated body 136 is configured such that the O-

rings

137, 138 used in securing the second ends 30, 34 of the first and

second pulley cables

24, 26 to the elongated body 136 are positioned along the outer surface 140 of the elongated body 136, i.e., the surface of the elongated body 136 that faces away from the user when the body engaging assembly 40 is properly positioned around the waist of the user.

More specifically, the O-

rings

137, 139 are positioned such that they are substantially aligned with opposite sides of the body along the front plane of the user's body; that is, when the belt 134 is properly secured around the user, the O-

rings

137, 139 will be located on the left and right sides of the body.

This will be further understood as the waistband 134 includes elastic features that allow the waistband 134 to be positioned at various locations along the abdomen and torso of the user, as will be explained below for various uses of the present exercise device and as described above. In detail, the belt 134 includes a left side panel 162 adjacent to a first end of the belt 134 and a right side panel 164 adjacent to a second end of the belt 134. Each of the first and right side panels is provided with an elastic member allowing controlled expansion thereof. Additionally, it will be appreciated that additional security may be achieved by extending the tether from the mounting assembly 40 to the waist belt 134.

In use, the exercise may be considered a "gym in a bag". In particular, the body-engaging component 40 is provided with a zippered pocket 141, and the various functional components of the present exercise device 10 can be stored in the zippered pocket 141. According to a preferred embodiment, the bag 141 is secured to the waist belt 134 using hook and loop fasteners 160, thereby allowing for selective attachment thereto.

When exercise is to be performed, the user removes the various features, namely the mounting assembly 12 and the sheave assembly 14. The abutment member 54 is positioned on the outside of the door 42 and the belt 64 slides between the door 42 and the door frame 44. In detail, strap 64 slides from the top of door 42 between door 42 and door frame 44 such that strap 64 is on the upper hinge connecting door 42 to door frame 44.

With the abutment member 54 located on the exterior of the door 42 and the belt 64 extending to the interior of the door 42, the adjustable coupling belt 72 is secured to the belt 64 and the sheave assembly 14 is secured to the adjustable coupling belt 72. The user then secures the body-engaging component about his or her torso or waist in accordance with the exercise. The second end 30 of the pulley cable is then secured to the attachment point of the body engaging component 40. At this point, the user may adjust the adjustable interface belt 72 to suit the particular exercise he or she is scheduled to perform. In particular, the adjustable coupling strap 72 is adjusted so that the user can use his or her entire weight from the ground, which means that he/she will lift his/her entire weight from the ground, but spread the load over his/her body. Thereafter, the user can grasp the handle and begin exercising.

As a result, the user becomes heavy and can lean forward or backward while performing various exercises. For example, the present exercise device will allow a user to do back, squat, shoulder, biceps, triceps, etc. exercises with his/her body as a resistance weight.

In the case where the user desires to perform chest exercises, as shown in fig. 5, he/she can lean forward with the belt 134 positioned in a comfortable position. When he/she does butterfly or he/she is doing push-up or he/she can tilt the shoulders, he/she can do one action down and up with his/her entire body. Because he/she is at an angle, his/her body must bend all of his/her anterior muscles to keep him/her straight. You can do back exercises, upper chest exercises, lower chest exercises, sit-ups, etc.

Referring to fig. 7 to 20, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. As with the previous embodiment, exercise device 1010 includes a mounting assembly 1012 and a pulley assembly 1014 coupled to mounting assembly 1012. The pulley assembly 1014 includes an elongated linkage belt 1031 and a support assembly from which extends a belt supporting the first and

second pulleys

1020, 1022. A first pulley cable 1024 is positioned around the first pulley 1020 for movement relative to the first pulley 1020 and a second pulley cable 1026 is positioned around the second pulley 1022 for movement relative to the second pulley 1022. The first pulley cable 1024 includes a first end 1028 and a second end 1030, and the second pulley cable 1026 includes a first end 1032 and a second end 1034. The first handle 1036 is coupled to a first end 1028 of the first pulley cable 1024 and the second handle 1038 is coupled to a first end 1032 of the second pulley cable 1026. The body coupling assembly 1040 is selectively coupled to the second end 1030 of the first pulley cable 1024 and the second end 1034 of the second pulley cable 1026.

Referring now to fig. 7 and 11, the mounting assembly 1012 is adapted to be selectively attached to the door 1042 by positioning the mounting assembly 1012 between the door 1042 and the door frame 1044 such that the first end 1046 of the mounting assembly 1012 is positioned on the outboard side 1048 of the door 1042 during an exercise and the second end 1050 of the mounting assembly 1012 is positioned on the inboard side of the door 1042 during the exercise (not shown; i.e., within the space that the user is about to exercise). The first end 1046 is provided with an abutment member 1054 in the form of an elongated rod 1056, the elongated rod 1056 having enlarged

buffer end members

1058, 1060 sized such that the elongated rod 1056 is too large to pass through the space between the door 1042 and the door frame 1044. The second end 1050 of the mounting assembly 1012 is provided with a releasable coupling member 1062 that allows the pulley assembly 1014 to be selectively attached to the mounting assembly 1012 as will be appreciated in light of the following disclosure. The releasable coupling member 1062 at the second end 1050 of the mounting assembly 1012 is secured to the abutment member 1054 at the first end 1046 of the mounting assembly 1012 by a strap 1064, the strap 1064 being shaped and sized to pass between the outer side 1048 of the door 1042 and the inner side 1052 of the door 1042, with the strap 1064 fitting within the space between the door 1042 and the door frame 1044.

Referring now to the pulley assembly 1014 as best shown in fig. 7, 8, 9 and 12, the pulley assembly 1014 includes an elongate coupling strip 1031. The coupling strip 1031 includes a first end 1033 having a releasable coupling member 1035, the releasable coupling member 1035 being shaped and dimensioned to engage a releasable coupling member 1062 at the second end 1050 of the mounting assembly 1050. Releasable coupling member 1035 at first end 1033 of coupling strip 1031 includes an adjustment mechanism 1049 to allow a user to adjust the effective length from first end 1033 of coupling strip 1031 to second end 1037 of coupling strip 1031. The adjustment mechanism 1037 employed in accordance with the preferred embodiment is a dual slot arrangement known to those skilled in the art wherein the ribbon traverses adjacent slots in a serpentine path to allow selective adjustment without sacrificing the necessary length to maintain the ribbon at the desired length.

At the second end 1037 of the link strap 1031 is positioned a buckle 1039, the buckle 1039 having a pulley strap member 1041 passing therethrough such that the pulley strap member 1041 has a first end 1043 fixed to the first pulley 1020 and a second end 1045 fixed to the second pulley 1022. The pulley belt member 1041 is retained by the spacer member 1051 such that the first end 1043 of the pulley belt member 1041 and the second end 1045 of the pulley belt member 1041 are maintained in a desired spaced relationship, retaining the first pulley 1020 and the second pulley 1022 in a similar spaced relationship.

The spacer member 1051 is an elongated planar member having a first end 1057, a second end 1059, and opposing sidewalls 1061a, 1061b extending between the first end 1057 and the second end 1059. Adjacent the first end 1057, the spacing member 1051 is provided with a first slot 1053, and the first end 1043 of the pulley belt member 1041 passes through the first slot 1053. Similarly, a second slot 1055 is disposed adjacent to the second end 1059 of the spacing member 1051. The second slot 1055 is also shaped and sized to allow the pulley belt member 1041 to pass through the second slot 1055. The first slot 1053 and the second slot 1055 are mirror images of each other and comprise a continuous slot configuration. The continuous slot configuration is comprised of

first slot portion

1053a, 1055a,

second slot portion

1053b, 1055b, and third slot portion 153c, 155 c. The

first slot portions

1053a, 1055a extend between the first and second sidewalls 1061a, 1061b and are adjacent to the first end 1057 or the second end member 1059 of the spacing member 1051. The third slot portions 153c, 155c extend between the first and second sidewalls 1061a, 1061b of the spacer component 1051, but are positioned inboard (i.e., closer to the center of the spacer component 1051) of the first or second ends 1057, 1059 of the spacer member 1051. The transverse

second slot portions

1053b, 1055b extend in the direction of the first and

second ends

1057, 1059 of the spacing member 1051 and between the first and

third slot portions

1053a, 1055a, 1053c, 1055 c.

As described above, the pulley assembly 1014 also includes the first pulley 1020 and the second pulley 1020. The first and

second pulleys

1020, 1022 are fixed to first and

second ends

1043, 1045, respectively, of a pulley belt member 1041 that couples the second end 1037 of the belt 1031. The first pulley 1020 is fixed to the first end 1043 of the pulley belt member 1041 in a manner that allows full range of motion of the first pulley 1020 relative to the first end 1043 of the pulley belt member 1041. Similarly, the second pulley 1022 is secured to the second end 1045 of the pulley belt member 1041 in a manner that allows for a full range of motion of the second pulley 1022 relative to the pulley belt member 1041. The full range of motion is achieved by providing a pivot bearing structure for the first end 1043 and the second end 1045 of the pulley belt member 1041, to which the first pulley 1020 and the second pulley 1022 are respectively fixed.

Now consider the first pulley 1020 and the second pulley 1022, which are conventional pulleys and may take various forms. They are rubberized to prevent inadvertent damage to the wall during use. According to a preferred embodiment, each of the first and

second pulleys

1020, 1022 includes a U-shaped frame member 1106. The U-shaped frame member 1106 includes a first end 1108 and a second end 1116 at the connecting member 1110, the connecting member 1110 coupling the arm 1112 and the second arm 1114, the second end 1116 being at the free ends of the first arm 1112 and the second arm 1114. The first end 1108 includes a pivot buckle 1118 to which the releasable coupling members 1102, 1104 are secured, and the second end 1116 includes a pivot pin 1120 extending between the free ends of the first and

second arms

1112, 1114, with the wheel 1122 rotating about the pivot pin 1120.

As described above, the first pulley cable 1024 is fixed to the first pulley 1020 and the second pulley cable 1026 is fixed to the second pulley 1022. Referring to the first pulley cable 1024, which passes within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106, the U-shaped frame member 1106 is located between a first end 1108 and a second end 1116, wherein the first end 1108 is closed by the connecting member 1110 and the second end 1116 is closed by the pivot pin 1120 and the wheel 1122. The first pulley cable 1024 is retained within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106 by securing the first enlarged locking member 1124 adjacent the first end 1028 of the first pulley cable 1024 and securing the second enlarged locking member 1126 adjacent the second end 1030 of the first pulley cable 1024. The first and second enlarged locking

members

1124, 1126 are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106, and the respective first and

second ends

1028, 1030 of the first pulley cable 1024 may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106 to effectively remove the first pulley cable 1024 from the first pulley 1020. Similarly, the second pulley cable 1026 is retained within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106 by securing the first enlarged locking member 1128 adjacent the first end 1032 of the second pulley cable 1026 and securing the second enlarged locking member 1130 adjacent the second end 1034 of the second pulley cable 1026. The first and second enlarged locking

members

1128, 1130 are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 1106 and the respective first and

second ends

1032, 1034 of the second pulley cable 1026 may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member 106 to effectively remove the first pulley cable 1024 from the first pulley 1020.

As briefly discussed above, the first pulley cable 1024 includes a first end 1028 and a second end 1030. The first handle 1036 is coupled to the first end 1028 of the first pulley cable 1024 at a location beyond the first enlarged locking member 1124 previously discussed. The body coupling assembly 1040 is coupled to the second end 1030 of the first pulley cable 1024 at a location beyond the previously discussed second enlarged locking member 1126. The first handle 1036 and body coupling assembly 1040 are releasably secured to the first pulley cable 1024. According to a preferred embodiment, the second end 1030 of the first pulley cable 1024 and the body engaging assembly 1040 are provided with

releasable linking members

1073, 1069, the linking

members

1073, 1069 being shaped and dimensioned to be selectively engageable.

With respect to the second pulley cable 1026, it includes a first end 1032 and a second end 1034. The second handle 1038 is coupled to the first end 1032 of the second pulley cable 1026 at a location beyond the first enlarged locking member 1128 previously discussed. The body coupling assembly 1040 is coupled to the second end 1034 of the second pulley cable 1026 at a location beyond the second enlarged locking member 1130 previously discussed. The body coupling assembly 1040 is releasably secured to the first pulley cable 1024. According to a preferred embodiment, the second end 1034 of the second pulley cable 1026 and the body-engaging assembly 1040 are provided with

releasable linking members

1075, 1071, the linking

members

1075, 1071 being shaped and dimensioned to be selectively engageable.

Now consider body engaging component 1040, which is preferably a waist band 1134 shaped and sized for positioning about the waist of a user while he or she is exercising. As such, band 1134 includes an elongated body 1136 having an inner surface 1138 and an outer surface 1140, and a first end 1142 and a second end 1144. The respective first and

second ends

1142, 1144 are provided with first and second

mating fastening members

1146, 1148, allowing the waist band 1134 to be releasably attached about the waist of a user.

In addition, the band 1134 includes a first auxiliary connection member 1065 and a second auxiliary connection member 1067, the first auxiliary connection member 1065 and the second auxiliary connection member 1067 being secured on opposite sides of the band 1134 on opposite sides of where the first mating fastener 1046 and the second mating fastening member 1048 meet to secure the band 1134 around the user's waist. As discussed in more detail below, each of the first and second

auxiliary connection members

1065, 1067 includes a

releasable coupling member

1069, 1071, the

coupling members

1069, 1071 being shaped and sized for selective engagement with the

releasable coupling members

1073, 1075 fixed to the second ends 1030, 1034 of the first and second pulley cables 1024, 1026 (or the

releasable coupling members

1320, 1324 of the central pulley assembly 1310 (shown in fig. 16, 17, and 18)).

Releasable coupling members

1069, 1071 of band 1134 are coupled to band 1134 by adjustable

effective length bands

1077, 1079. Specifically, first ends 1077a, 1079a of

straps

1077, 1079 for the first and second

auxiliary connection members

1065, 1067 are fixedly connected to the waist band 1134. The second ends 1077b, 1079b of the

belts

1077, 1079 for the first and second

auxiliary connection members

1065, 1067 are coupled to

adjustment mechanisms

1081, 1083 integrated with the

releasable coupling members

1069, 1071, thereby allowing a user to adjust the effective length of the

belts

1077, 1079 from the first ends 1077a, 1079a of the

belts

1077, 1079 to the second ends 1077b, 1079b of the

belts

1077, 1079. The

adjustment mechanisms

1081, 1083 employed in accordance with the preferred embodiments are dual slot arrangements known to those skilled in the art in which the ribbon traverses adjacent slots in a serpentine path to allow selective adjustment without sacrificing the necessary length to maintain the ribbon at the desired length. The ability to adjust the length of the belt allows the user to adjust the stroke length during exercise to accommodate people of different sizes.

With respect to the elongated body 1136 connecting the second ends 1030, 1034 of the first and

second pulley cables

1026, 1028 to the body-engaging assembly 1040, the elongated body 1136 is configured such that the

releasable coupling members

1069, 1071 used in securing the second ends 1030, 1034 of the first and

second pulley cables

1024, 1026 to the elongated body 1136 are positioned along the outer surface 1140 of the elongated body 1136, i.e., the surface of the elongated body 1136 facing away from the user when the body-engaging assembly 1040 is properly positioned about the waist of the user.

More specifically,

releasable coupling members

1069, 1071 are positioned such that they are substantially aligned with opposite sides of the body along the front plane of the user's body; that is, when the belt 134 is properly secured around the user, the releasable attachment members will be positioned on the left and right sides of the body.

It will be further understood that, as will be explained below for various uses of the present exercise device and as described above, the waistband 1134 includes elastic features that allow the waistband 1134 to be positioned at various locations along the abdomen and torso of the user. In detail, the waistband 1134 includes a left side panel 1162 adjacent a first end of the waistband 1134 and a right side panel 1164 adjacent a second end of the waistband 1134. Each of the left and

right side panels

1162, 1164 is provided with an elastic member 1162a, 1164b that allows controlled expansion thereof. Additionally, it will be appreciated that additional security may be achieved by extending the tether from mounting assembly 1040 to waist band 1134.

Further versatility is achieved by providing a central pulley assembly 1310 (see fig. 16, 17 and 18). The central pulley assembly 1310 includes a short belt member 1312, and the central pulley 1314 is secured to the short belt member 1312. The central pulley 1314 is supported on the short belt member 1312 by bearings 1313 that allow a wide range of motion. The bearing 1313 includes a removable pin 1313p that allows the central pulley 1314 to be removed from the short belt member 1312. The remainder of the bearing 1313 is the same as the frame 1106 described above with respect to the first and

second pulleys

1020, 1022. As will be understood based on the following disclosure, the central pulley assembly 1310 allows the present exercise device to be adjusted from a double pulley assembly to a single pulley assembly, wherein the single pulley cable 1316 extends through a tortuous path connecting the first pulley 1022, the second pulley 1022, and the central pulley assembly 1310.

The short belt member 1312 of the central pulley assembly 1310 includes a first end 1318 and a second end 1322, wherein the first end 1318 is provided with a releasable coupling member 1320 adapted to connect to a releasable coupling member 1069 on the left side of the belt 1134, and the second end 1322 is provided with a releasable coupling member 1324 adapted to connect to a releasable coupling member 1071 on the right side of the belt 1314. With the first end 1318 and the second end 1322 of the central pulley assembly 1310 secured to the waist band 1134, the central pulley 1314 is positioned across the front of the waist band 1134 at a location along the abdomen of the user.

As mentioned above, this alternative uses a single pulley cable configuration. The single pulley cable 1316 includes a first end 1328 and a second end 1332, with the handle 1330 secured to the first end 1328 and the handle 1334 secured to the second end 1332. Extending from the handle 1330 at a first end 1328 of the single pulley cable 1316, the single pulley cable 1316 passes around the first pulley 1020, the central pulley 1314, and the second pulley 1022, which ends at the handle at a second end of the single pulley.

Referring now to fig. 20, to facilitate replacement between the two-pulley system and the single-pulley system, each of the first pulley 1020, second pulley 1022, and central pulley 1314 is provided with a hinged releasable plate 1410 (not visible in the other figures) allowing removal of cables that may remain within the pulley structure. The releasable plate 1410 is comprised of a spring biased hinge member 1412 integrated into the U-shaped frame member 1106 and functions in the same manner as a shackle.

When an exercise is to be performed, the user removes the various features, namely the mounting assembly and the pulley assembly. The abutment member 54 is positioned on the outside of the door and the belt slides between the door and the door frame. Specifically, the strap slides from the top of the door between the door and the door frame such that the strap is located on an upper hinge connecting the door to the door frame.

With the abutment member located on the exterior of the door and the belt extending to the interior of the door, the adjustable coupling belt is secured to the belt and the sheave assembly is secured to the adjustable coupling belt. The user then secures the body-engaging component about his or her torso or waist in accordance with the exercise. The pulley cable is then secured to the attachment point of the body engaging component. At this point, the user may adjust the adjustable interface belt 72 to suit the particular exercise he or she is scheduled to perform. In particular, the adjustable coupling strap is adjusted so that the user can use his or her entire weight from the ground, which means that he/she will lift his/her entire weight from the ground, but spread the load over his/her body. Thereafter, the user can grasp the handle and begin exercising. As a result, the user becomes heavy and can lean forward or backward while performing various exercises. For example, the present exercise device will allow a user to do back, squat, shoulder, biceps, triceps, etc. exercises with his/her body as a resistance weight.

In the case where the user desires to perform chest exercises, he/she can lean forward with the belt positioned in a comfortable position, as shown in fig. 5. When he/she does butterfly or he/she is doing push-up or he/she can tilt the shoulders, he/she can do one action down and up with his/her entire body. Because he/she is at an angle, his/her body must bend all of his/her anterior muscles to keep him/her straight. He/she can do back exercises, upper chest exercises, lower chest exercises, sit-ups, etc.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

mounting the component;

a pulley assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, the pulley assembly including a pulley belt member having a first end secured to a first pulley and a second end secured to a second pulley, the pulley belt member being retained by a spacing member such that the first end of the pulley belt member and the second end of the pulley belt member are retained in a desired spaced relationship to retain the first and second pulleys in a spaced relationship;

a pulley cable positioned around the first and second pulleys for movement relative thereto, the pulley cable including a first end and a second end;

a first handle is coupled to a first end of the pulley cable;

a body engaging component coupled to the pulley cable;

wherein the body-engaging component is a waist belt shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user, the waist belt comprising an elongated body having an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end, and the first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body being provided with cooperating fastening members allowing the waist belt to be releasably attached about the waist of the user; wherein the waist belt also comprises first and second auxiliary connecting members secured to opposite sides of the waist belt on opposite sides of the first and second mating fastening members; wherein each of the first and second auxiliary connecting members comprises a releasable coupling member shaped and dimensioned to selectively engage with a cooperating releasable coupling member.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mounting assembly includes an abutment member and the second end of the mounting assembly includes a releasable coupling member that allows selective connection of the pulley assembly to the mounting assembly.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the pulley assembly further includes a coupling strap securing the pulley strap member to the mounting assembly.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the pulley cable includes a releasable coupling member for selectively engaging with the first auxiliary connecting member or the second auxiliary connecting member.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a central pulley assembly including a releasable coupling member for selectively engaging the first auxiliary connecting member or the second auxiliary connecting member.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the central pulley assembly includes a short strap member to which a central pulley is secured.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the short strap member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is provided with a releasable coupling member of a first short strap member adapted to connect to the releasable coupling member of a first auxiliary connection member, and the second end is provided with a releasable coupling member of a second short strap member adapted to connect to the releasable coupling member of a second auxiliary connection member.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein an adjustable length strap secures the plurality of releasable coupling members of the first and second auxiliary connection members to the waist belt.

9. An exercise device comprising:

mounting the component;

a first handle is coupled to a first end of the pulley cable;

a body engaging component coupled to the pulley cable;

wherein the spacer member is an elongated planar member having a first end, a second end, and opposing first and second sidewalls extending therebetween, the spacer member further comprising a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first end of the pulley belt member passes through the first slot and the second end of the pulley belt member passes through the second slot.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the first slot and the second slot are mirror images of each other.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second slots includes a first slot portion extending between the first and second side walls and adjacent the first or second end of the spacer member, a second slot portion extending in the direction of the first and second ends of the spacer member, and a third slot portion extending between the first and second side walls but inward of the first or second end of the spacer member relative to the first slot portion.